Two Ilkley councillors have denied being elitist in trying to block a proposal to build cheaper homes on the college campus site.

Responding to an offer from Crest Homes officials, Tory district councillors Martin Smith and Anne Hawkesworth said they would not be happy for 'affordable' housing to be included in the campus development.

As part of Bradford Council's planning policy, all new developments over a certain size must contain a percentage of 'affordable' housing.

But Coun Hawkesworth and Smith told the developers affordable housing would not be appropriate for the site, which is surrounded by exclusive detached homes.

Coun Hawkesworth and Smith told Crest Homes officials they would prefer them to build affordable houses at an alternative site owned by the Council at Ashlands Road, off Leeds Road.

But this would mean Bradford Council having first to advertise the land and sell it to the highest bidder.

Coun Smith denied he was being elitist - the plan was totally inappropriate to the style of houses within the vicinity. Because the site was three-quarters of a mile from the town centre and not by a busy route it would not be a good place for cheaper houses, he said.

"It is for quite sensible reasons. It is not a matter of not wanting them there," said Coun Smith, adding that existing residents would likely object to cheaper homes on their doorstep.

And Coun Hawkesworth said: "Affordable housing, to be affordable, has to be relatively high density buildings. I believe high density buildings on the edge of the moor would be too obvious a building mass."

But the councillors have been condemned by Ilkley parish councillor Roy Fox (Lab), who described their comments as "ridiculous".

The lack of affordable housing in Ilkley had resulted in a steady exodus of young people to places like Otley, Silsden, Addingham and Burley-in-Wharfedale, where property was cheaper, he said: "Not everyone is wealthy and not everyone has an executive job."

Tony Vincent, managing director of Crest Homes (Northern) Ltd, said: We will be discussing this in more detail with the planning department."

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